Transmission having planetary gear drive with variable speed reduction

ABSTRACT

A transmission for transferring torque from a prime mover includes a first input shaft adapted to be driven by the prime mover, a second input shaft and an output shaft. A compound planetary gearset includes a sun gear driven by the first input shaft, first pinion gears being driven by the sun gear, a ring gear fixed for rotation with the second input shaft and being meshed with second pinion gears, and a carrier driving the output shaft. A reaction motor drives the second input shaft. A controller controls the reaction motor to vary the speed of the second input shaft and define a gear ratio between the first input shaft and the output shaft based on the second input shaft speed.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to power transmission devices. More particularly, a transmission for transferring torque at a variable speed reduction ratio includes a planetary gear drive driven by two sources of power.

BACKGROUND

Geared transmissions typically function to change the rotational speed of a prime mover output shaft and an input shaft of a desired work output. In a vehicle, the prime mover may include a diesel or gasoline internal combustion engine. It should be noted that there are many more applications than automobiles and trucks. Locomotives are equipped with transmissions between their engines and their wheels. Bicycles and motorcycles also include a transmission. Speed-increasing transmissions allow large, slow-moving blades of a windmill to generate power much closer to a desired AC frequency. Other industrial applications exist. In each case, the motor and transmission act together to provide power at a desired speed and torque to do useful work. Geared transmissions have also been used in combination with electric motors acting as the prime mover.

Multiple speed transmissions have been coupled to high torque prime movers that typically operate within a narrow speed range, most notably structured as large displacement diesel engines of tractor trailers. Electric motors have a much wider speed range in which they operate effectively. However, the motor operates most efficiently at a single speed. Known multiple speed transmissions attempt to maintain an optimum operating speed and torque of the

prime mover output shaft, but only approximate this condition due to the discrete gear ratios provided. Accordingly, a need for a simplified variable speed ratio power transmission device exists.

Many existing transmissions incorporate planetary gearsets within the torque path. A traditional planetary gear drive has three major components: a sun gear, an annulus ring gear and a planet carrier. When one of those components is connected to the prime mover, another is used as the output and the third component is not allowed to rotate. The input and output may rotate at different speeds, and may also rotate in opposite directions, with the ratio of input to output speeds being a fixed value. When the previously fixed third component is connected to a second input and forced to rotate, the transmission will have a continuously varying speed ratio dependent on the speeds of both the prime mover and this new second input. One example of such a planetary gear drive is made by Toyota. While planetary gearsets have been successfully used in vehicle power transmissions in the past, a need exists for a planetary drive and control system for optimizing the gear drive's efficiency and power density.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

A transmission for transferring torque from a prime mover includes a first input shaft adapted to be driven by the prime mover, a second input shaft and an output shaft. A compound planetary gearset includes a sun gear driven by the first input shaft, first pinion gears being driven by the sun gear, a ring gear fixed for rotation with the second input shaft and being meshed with second pinion gears, and a carrier driving the output shaft. A reaction motor drives the second input shaft. A controller controls the reaction motor to vary the speed of the second input shaft and define a gear ratio between the first input shaft and the output shaft based on the second input shaft speed.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic depicting an exemplary vehicle equipped with a transmission constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a transmission having a simple planetary gearset;

FIG. 3 is a graph depicting sun speed to carrier speed ratio versus ring speed to sun speed ratio for a number of fixed ring ratios of a simple planetary gearset;

FIG. 4 depicts relative diameters of sun, planet and annulus ring gears for a planetary gearset having a fixed ring ratio of 9.706.

FIG. 5 is a schematic depicting a transmission equipped with a compound planetary gearset;

FIG. 6 is a graph depicting sun speed to carrier speed ratio versus ring speed to sun speed ratio for a number of compound planetary gearsets;

FIG. 7 is a schematic of an alternate transmission including a simple planetary gearset and an offset motor and speed reduction unit;

FIG. 8 is a schematic depicting another transmission having a compound planetary gearset driven by an offset reaction motor and speed reduction unit;

FIG. 9 is a schematic of another transmission including two simple planetary gearsets;

FIG. 10 is a schematic of another transmission equipped with a compound planetary gearset and a simple planetary reduction gearset;

FIGS. 11 and 12 depict alternate transmissions including worm and worm wheel drives; and

FIGS. 13 and 14 depict alternative transmissions including concentrically arranged worm drive mechanisms.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to a transmission that can be adaptively controlled to transfer torque between a first rotary member and a second rotary member. The transmission finds particular application in motor vehicle drivelines such as, for example, a continuously variable torque transfer mechanism. Thus, while the transmission of the present disclosure is hereinafter described in association with particular arrangements for use in specific driveline applications, it will be understood that the arrangements shown and described are merely intended to illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure.

With particular reference to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a drivetrain 10 for an all-wheel drive vehicle is shown. Drivetrain 10 includes a driveline 12 and a powertrain 16 for delivering rotary tractive power (i.e., drive torque) to the driveline. In the particular arrangement shown, driveline 12 is the rear driveline. Powertrain 16 is shown to include an engine 18 and a transmission 20. A pair of front wheels 24L and 24R are not driven. Driveline 12 includes a propshaft 30 driven by transmission 20 and a rear axle assembly 32 for transferring drive torque from engine 18 to a rear differential 34. A pair of rear axleshafts 38L and 38R interconnect rear differential 34 to corresponding rear wheels 36L and 36R.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, transmission 20 includes a planetary gearset 40 and a reaction motor 42. Drivetrain 10 is shown to further include vehicle sensors 44 for detecting certain dynamic and operational characteristics of the motor vehicle and a controller 45 for controlling actuation of reaction motor 42 in response to input signals from vehicle sensors 44.

Planetary gearset 40 includes a sun gear 46 fixed for rotation with an output shaft 48 of engine 18. An annulus ring gear 50 is fixed for rotation with an output shaft 52 of reaction motor 42. Planetary gearset 40 also includes a carrier 54 rotatably supporting a plurality of pinion gears 56 that are each in constant meshed engagement with annulus ring gear 50 and sun gear 46. An output shaft 58 is fixed for rotation with carrier 54. The remainder of this disclosure discusses how the sun gear speed ω_(S) to carrier speed ω_(C) ratio is a function of an annulus ring gear speed ω_(R) to sun speed ω_(S) in simple and compound planetary gearsets and how the asymptotic nature of this speed ratio may be exploited to improve the gear drive's efficiency and power density.

If a positive direction of annulus ring rotation is defined to be in the same direction as that of the sun gear and carrier assembly, it can be shown that in the general case, the ratio of sun to carrier speeds is given by:

$\begin{matrix} {\frac{\omega_{S}}{\omega_{C}} = {\frac{z_{S} + z_{R}}{z_{S}}\left\lbrack {1 - \left( \frac{\omega_{R}z_{R}}{{\omega_{S}z_{S}} + {\omega_{R}z_{R}}} \right)} \right\rbrack}} & (1) \end{matrix}$ where ω_(S), ω_(C), and ω_(R) are the sun, carrier and annulus ring angular velocities and z_(R) and z_(S) are the number of teeth in the annulus ring and sun gears, respectively. Note that if ω_(R)=0, equation (1) simplifies to the familiar relationship between sun and carrier speeds for a fixed annulus ring. We define the ratio of ring speed to sun speed as

$\begin{matrix} {\Omega = \frac{\omega_{R}}{\omega_{S}}} & (2) \end{matrix}$ Equation (1) may then be rewritten as

$\begin{matrix} {\frac{\omega_{S}}{\omega_{C}} = \frac{z_{R} + z_{S}}{z_{S} + {\Omega \cdot z_{R}}}} & (3) \end{matrix}$

It can be noted that there will be a value of Ω for which ω_(S)/ω_(C) will become asymptotic. FIG. 3 shows equation (3) plotted against the ring to sun speed ratio for different numbers of ring and sun gear teeth. Each curve is labeled with its carrier to sun fixed ring ratio (FRR). Table 1 lists the number of teeth in the sun, planets and ring of each planetary combination, as well as each tooth combination's FRR. The combinations of sun, planet and ring gear tooth numbers were selected to span the practical limits of geometry limitations.

FIG. 3 plots the speed ratio ω_(S)/ω_(C) against Ω for various FRR values listed in Table 1 and shows that the vertical asymptote increases from Ω=−0.650 to −0.115 as the FRR increases. More importantly, the magnitude of the ω_(S)/ω_(C) slope as the curve crosses the ordinate axis Ω=0 increases as well. As the magnitude of the ω_(S)/ω_(C) slope increases, the annulus ring speed required to effect a change in the speed ratio ω_(S)/ω_(C) decreases dramatically. The annulus ring gear 50, however, is the largest of all component gears in the planetary gearset 40. As such, a relatively large torque may need to be reacted by reaction motor 42. The torque necessary to supply a sufficient reaction to pinion gears 56 may be quite large as well.

The sensitivity of the speed ratio to its fixed ring ratio is quantified by defining the ratio of the highest to lowest speed ratios as Δ for an arbitrary value of Ω selected as +/−10% of the sun's speed, as well as the value of Ω for the vertical asymptote. Table 1 presents this data.

TABLE 1 Simple Planetary Tooth Combinations Numbers of Teeth Fixed Ring Ratio Spread Vertical Sun Planets Ring Speed Ratio Δ = (ω_(S)/ω_(C))_(MAX)/(ω_(S)/ω_(C))_(MIN) Asypmptote Z_(S) Z_(P) Z_(R) (Z_(S) + Z_(R))/Z_(S) −0.1 < Ω < 0.1 Ω = ω_(R)/ω_(S) 17 65 148 9.706 14.455 −0.115 20 62 145 8.250 6.273 −0.138 23 59 142 7.174 4.227 −0.162 28 54 137 5.893 2.916 −0.204 34 48 131 4.853 2.254 −0.260 41 41 124 4.024 1.867 −0.331 52 30 113 3.173 1.555 −0.460 65 17 100 2.538 1.364 −0.650

Table 1 and FIG. 3 illustrate that a large fixed ring ratio (FRR) is necessary to have the desirable feature of ω_(S)/ω_(C) speed ratio sensitivity. Design constraints may exist where such a large FRR is not practical. FIG. 4 shows the relative diameters of the sun, planets and annulus ring of the 9.706 FRR planetary. The relatively small sun size will limit the strength of the shaft on which the sun gear is fixed. Furthermore, just as there is a minimum practical FRR, below which the planet pinions are too small to be supported with rolling element bearings, there is a maximum FRR, above which the tips of the planet pinions will interfere.

FIG. 5 depicts an alternative transmission 20 a having a compound planetary gearset 40 a in lieu of simple planetary gearset 40. Alternative transmission 20 a is substantially similar to transmission 20. Accordingly, like elements will be identified with reference numerals including an “a” suffix. Planetary gearset 40 a differs from simple planetary gearset 40 in that compound pinion gears 60 replace pinion gears 56. Each compound pinion gear 60 includes a first pinion gear 62 in meshed engagement with sun gear 46 a as well as a reduced diameter second pinion gear 64 in constant meshed engagement with annulus ring gear 50 a. First pinion gears 62 have a predetermined number of teeth, module, pressure angle and helix angle based on the mesh with sun gear 46 a. Second pinion gears 64 have a reduced number of teeth, a different module, pressure angle and helix angle for the gear meshes with annulus ring gear 50 a. The compound planetary gearset provides a minimized inner and outer radial packaging. Furthermore, the compound planetary gearset provides a greater reduction gear ratio. It should be appreciated that first pinion gears 62 and second pinion gears 64 are aligned in pairs to rotate on common pinion centers.

To operate on the same pinion centers, the module, helix angle and number of teeth must satisfy this constraint:

$\begin{matrix} {\frac{m_{R}\cos\;\beta_{S}}{m_{s}\cos\;\beta_{R}} = \frac{z_{S} + z_{PS}}{z_{R} - z_{PR}}} & (4) \end{matrix}$ where m_(R) and m_(S) are the normal modules of the ring and sun meshes, respectively. The planet pinions z_(PS) and z_(PR) mesh with the sun and annulus, respectively. In addition to the geometry constraint of equation (4), each of the compound planet pinions independent meshes must have the same torque, but because each torque will act at different pitch geometries, the tooth loads may differ significantly and require largely different modules as a result.

If the design of a compound planetary gear set is modified to allow for an annulus gear that may move at a controlled angular speed while still providing the necessary reaction torque for the planet pinions, a similar asymptotic behavior to that seen in FIG. 3 exists. With the same reasoning used to develop equations (1) and (2), it can be shown that the speed ratio ω_(S)/ω_(C) of a compound planetary gear set, in which the annulus gear is allowed to rotate is given by:

$\begin{matrix} {\frac{\omega_{S}}{\omega_{C}} = \frac{{z_{R} \cdot z_{PS}} + {z_{S} \cdot z_{PR}}}{{z_{S} \cdot z_{PR}} + {\Omega \cdot z_{R} \cdot z_{PS}}}} & (5) \end{matrix}$

As with equations (1) and (2), equation (5) reduces to the familiar speed relationship for a fixed annulus ring when Ω=0. Since a compound planetary gear set is capable for a larger speed ratio ω_(S)/ω_(C), the benefits of the asymptotic nature of equation (5) can be more fully exploited. FIG. 6 shows the sun-carrier speed ratios again plotted against ring-sun speed ratios for different fixed ring ratios.

TABLE 2 Compound Planetary Tooth Combinations Numbers of Teeth Planets Planets Fixed Ring Ratio Spread Sun (Sun) (Ring) Ring Speed Ratio Δ = (ω_(S)/ω_(C))_(MAX)/(ω_(S)/ω_(C))_(MIN) Z_(S) Z_(PS) Z_(PR) Z_(R) (Z_(S)Z_(PR) + Z_(R)Z_(PS))/(Z_(S)Z_(PR)) −0.03 < Ω < 0.03 19 79 17 115 29.127 11.805 22 79 17 115 25.291 6.373 23 76 17 98 20.049 3.667 29 68 17 100 14.793 2.412 35 64 19 94 10.047 1.745 37 50 23 107 7.287 1.465 47 46 23 95 5.043 1.276

As was done for simple planetary gear drives, tooth combinations shown in Table 2 were selected to attempt to span the practical FRR limits. A FRR less than 5.043 would most likely not justify the additional complexity and expense of a compound planetary over a simple planetary and a FRR larger than 30 may not be practical, as can be seen from FIG. 6. It is also noted that in comparing FIGS. 3 and 6, it can be seen for a given FRR a compound planetary will have a larger asymptote value than a simple planetary.

FIG. 7 depicts an alternate transmission 20 b and is constructed substantially similarly to transmission 20. Similar elements will be identified with like reference numerals including a “b” suffix. A reaction motor 42 b includes an output shaft 52 b that extends offset and parallel to an axis of rotation of output shaft 58 b. Reaction motor 42 b drives a reduction gearset 72 to rotate ring gear 50 b. Reduction gearset 72 includes a first gear 76 fixed for rotation with output shaft 52 b. A second gear 78 is in constant meshed engagement with first gear 76 and is fixed for rotation with a concentric shaft 80. Annulus ring gear 50 b is also fixed for rotation with concentric shaft 80.

FIG. 8 depicts an alternate transmission identified at reference numeral 20 c. Transmission 20 c includes the offset motor and speed reduction unit arrangement shown in FIG. 7 being used in conjunction with the compound planetary gearset first described at FIG. 5. Accordingly, similar elements will be identified with like reference numerals including a “c” suffix. In operation, reaction motor 42 c drives first gear 76 c and second gear 78 c to rotate annulus ring gear 50 c and vary the output ratio provided to output shaft 58 c.

FIG. 9 depicts another alternate transmission identified at reference numeral 20 d. Transmission 20 d is substantially similar to transmission 20 with the addition of a planetary reduction gearset 90. Similar elements will be identified with like reference numerals having a “d” suffix. Planetary gearset 90 includes a sun gear 92 fixed for rotation with reaction motor output shaft 52 d. Reaction motor output shaft 52 d is concentrically aligned with and circumscribes output shaft 58 d. A ring gear 94 is restricted from rotation. A plurality of pinion gears 96 are supported for rotation on a carrier 98. Pinion gears 96 are each meshed with sun gear 92 and ring gear 94. Carrier 98 is fixed for rotation with a concentric shaft 100. Annulus ring gear 50 d is also fixed for rotation with concentric shaft 100.

FIG. 10 depicts another alternate transmission 20 e that incorporates the planetary reduction gearset of FIG. 9 and mates it with the compound planetary gear arrangement shown in FIG. 5. Similar elements will be identified with like reference numerals having a “e” suffix. Reaction motor 42 e includes an output shaft 52 e transferring torque to planetary reduction unit 90 e. Carrier 98 e is fixed for rotation with concentric shaft 100 e and annulus ring gear 50 e.

FIGS. 11 and 12 depict alternate transmissions 20 f and 20 g, respectively. Each of transmissions 20 f, 20 g include a worm drive 110 including a reaction motor 42 f, 42 g, driving a worm gear 112 along an axis of rotation that extends substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of output shaft 58 f, 58 g. Worm gear 112 is in constant meshed engagement with a worm wheel 114. Worm wheel 114 is fixed for rotation with a concentric shaft 116. In FIG. 11, concentric shaft 116 is fixed for rotation with annulus ring gear 50 f. In similar fashion, concentric shaft 116 of FIG. 12 is fixed for rotation with annulus ring gear 50 g.

FIGS. 13 and 14 also depict alternative transmissions identified at reference numerals 20 h and 20 i, respectively. FIGS. 13 and 14 are substantially similar to FIGS. 11 and 12 except that worm wheels 114 h, 114 i concentrically surround annular ring gears 50 h and 50 i.

Furthermore, the foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims, that various changes, modifications and variations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A transmission for transferring torque from a prime mover, the transmission comprising: a first input shaft adapted to be driven by the prime mover; a second input shaft; an output shaft; a compound planetary gearset including a sun gear being driven by the first input shaft, first pinion gears being driven by the sun gear, a ring gear fixed for rotation with the second input shaft and being meshed with second pinion gears, and a carrier driving the output shaft; a reaction motor driving the second input shaft; and a controller for controlling the reaction motor to vary the speed of the second input shaft and define a gear ratio between the first input shaft and the output shaft based on the second input shaft speed, wherein a vertical asymptote of a ratio of sun gear speed to carrier speed versus a ratio of ring gear speed to sun gear speed ranges between about 0.00 and −0.25.
 2. The transmission of claim 1 wherein the reaction motor rotates the second input shaft in an opposite direction as the first input shaft.
 3. The transmission of claim 1 wherein the transmission is operable in a neutral mode where the output shaft is not rotating when the first and second input shafts are rotating.
 4. The transmission of claim 1 wherein a fixed ring ratio of the compound planetary gearset ranges between 5.043 and 29.127.
 5. The transmission of claim 1 wherein the second input shaft is concentrically arranged with the output shaft.
 6. The transmission of claim 1 wherein the second input shaft extends substantially parallel to and offset from the output shaft.
 7. The transmission of claim 1 further including a reduction gearset driven by the second input shaft and driving the ring gear.
 8. The transmission of claim 7 wherein the reduction gearset includes a drive gear meshed with a driven gear rotating about offset axes.
 9. The transmission of claim 7 wherein the reduction gearset includes a worm gear fixed for rotation with the second input shaft and a worm wheel driving the ring gear.
 10. The transmission of claim 7 wherein the reduction gearset includes a planetary gearset, and wherein the second input shaft, the first input shaft and the output shaft rotate about a common axis.
 11. A method of providing variable speed reduction through a transmission having a planetary gear drive, the method comprising: selecting a sun gear, first and second pinion gears, a carrier and a ring gear of a planetary gearset to define a fixed ring ratio ranging between 10-25; rotatably supporting the first and second pinion gears on the carrier; positioning the first pinion gears in meshed engagement with the sun gear; positioning the second pinion gears in meshed engagement with the ring gear; fixing a first input shaft for rotation with the sun gear; fixing the carrier for rotation with an output shaft; fixing a second input shaft to the ring gear; driving the first input shaft by a prime mover; determining a vertical asymptote of a ratio of sun gear speed to carrier speed versus a ratio of ring gear speed to sun gear speed; driving the second input shaft with a reaction motor wherein a gear ratio between the first input shaft and the output shaft varies based on the second input shaft speed; and minimizing a difference between the vertical asymptote and
 0. 12. The method of claim 11 further including controlling the reaction motor to rotate the second input shaft in an opposite direction as the first input shaft.
 13. The method of claim 12 further including operating the transmission in a neutral mode by controlling the speed of the second input shaft such that the output shaft does not rotate.
 14. The method of claim 11 further including concentrically arranging the second input shaft with the output shaft.
 15. The method of claim 11 further including driving a reduction gearset with the reaction motor and providing an output from the reduction gearset to the ring gear.
 16. A transmission for transferring torque from a prime mover to an output device, comprising: a first input shaft adapted to be driven by the prime mover; a second input shaft; a reaction motor driving the second input shaft; an output shaft adapted to drive the output device; an epicyclic planetary gearset including a sun gear driven by the first input shaft, a ring gear driven by the second input shaft, a carrier driving the output shaft, and pinion gears meshed with the sun gear and the ring gear; and a controller for controlling the reaction motor to vary the speed of the second input shaft and establish a gear ratio between the first input shaft and the output shaft based on the second input shaft speed, wherein a vertical asymptote of a ratio of sun gear speed to carrier speed versus a ratio of ring gear speed to sun gear speed ranges between −0.115 and −0.650.
 17. The transmission of claim 16 wherein a fixed ring speed ratio of the epicyclic planetary gearset ranges between about 2.5 and 9.7.
 18. The transmission of claim 16 wherein the second input shaft is concentrically arranged with the output shaft such that the reaction motor surrounds the output shaft, and wherein the first input shaft, the second input shaft and the output shaft are aligned to rotate about a common rotary axis.
 19. The transmission of claim 16 wherein the second input shaft is offset from a first rotary axis common to both the first input shaft and the output shaft and is rotatable about a second rotary axis, and wherein a reduction gearset is driven by the second input shaft and drives the ring gear.
 20. The transmission of claim 16 further including a planetary reduction gearset operably disposed between the second input shaft and the ring gear.
 21. A transmission for transferring torque from a prime mover to an output device, comprising: a first input shaft adapted to be driven by the prime mover; a second input shaft driven by a reaction motor; an output shaft adapted to drive the output device; a compound planetary gearset including a sun gear driven by the first input shaft, a ring gear driven by the second input shaft, a carrier driving the output shaft, and a set of compound pinion gears intermeshed with the sun gear and the ring gear, wherein the number of teeth on the sun gear, ring gear and compound pinion gears are selected to such that a vertical asymptote of a ratio of sun gear speed to carrier speed versus a ratio of ring gear speed to sun gear speed ranges between about 0.00 and −0.25; and a controller for controlling the reaction motor to vary the speed of the second input shaft. 